Page 129 of As You Walk On

We grin. My thumb strokes one of his rings. I know what he’s saying. Dad and I had a similar conversation about Mrs.Scott. About Jay. About everyone we decide to let into our lives.

I haven’t made a final decision on the matter.

However, I’ve concluded Luca and I have done far too much talking, not enough kissing, so I...

Jump and scream when Dad clears his throat behind me. Luca’s eyes widen in instant fear. Our hands quickly separate.

A laugh stalls out in Dad’s throat. “Can we maybe do thisinside,you two?”

I grumble a “yeah” before leading Luca into the house.

From there, everything is painfully clumsy. Introductions between Dad and Luca. The “couples” photos that follow. Dad calling Luca out for looking stiff as a corpse as we pose face-to-face, foreheads nearly colliding. Is this what I was missing all those years of not having a boy to bring home to meet Dad?

Before we finish, Aleah wrangles Dad into a picture with Luca and me. He proudly stands in the middle, arms around our shoulders. Behind his back, Luca and I hold hands. I get to do this all night. Luca’s thumb draws small circles on my skin like he’s thinking the same thing.

Luca demands one final picture: Aleah and me.

Shutter sounds echo in the living room while we take center stage. At the last second, Aleah rests her head on my shoulder. The same way she used to in those worn-soft pews years ago.

Darren reminds us about the reservation his parents booked. A private room at our favorite ramen bar off Baxter Avenue.

“Just one more,” Dad pleads, ushering Luca and me into another pose. He wants a picture of us pinning boutonnieres on each other.

And as cheesy-as-F it turns out, I love it.

We’re standing in front of our wall of photos. Granny watches me pin a flower on a boy I’m falling for. She sees the real me.

25

#ANEWFUTURE

Tonight, the skyis a sea of obsidian glittering with stars. Bass-heavy music pours out of the Gillespie, the venue Brook-Oak rents out annually for prom. Even from a distance, the fairy-tale magic of the lights and balloons and elegance sweeps you away. Gold, ivory, and cerulean banners welcome juniors and seniors. There’s even an artificial gate erected outside. A bored teacher stands guard, checking tickets before admitting anyone inside. Students race to the entrance in heels and shiny shoes.

It’s undeniably over-the-top, but I want in.

Our golden tickets are in my jacket pocket.

I can’t wait to see the rest of the venue. Dance until my feet hurt. Take silly photos. Let Darren talk my ear off about all the gossip he’s heard while eavesdropping by the punch table. Spin in an awkward circle while slow-dancing with Luca.

All the movie promises of nights like this being eternal andunforgettable are so close. But Luca stops short ten feet from the gate. I bump into his back, too caught up in watching Sage Chavez piggyback on Abel’s back while taking a selfie.

“Sorry,” I murmur, but Luca doesn’t respond.

In fact, everyone has paused, eyes focused straight ahead.

It’s Jay, blond hair sleeked back instead of in a topknot. He’s in a stylish black tux with a gold pocket square. His freshly shaven face draws more attention to his stone-blue eyes.

He doesn’t acknowledge the others. Only looks at me, lips downturned.

Darren interrupts our staring war. “Bro, not tonight.” He rests a hand on my shoulder, trying to guide me past Jay and inside.

I don’t budge.

As kids, Jay and I never mastered silent communication like I did with Aleah or Darren. We’ve always needed words. Big physical cues to interpret what the other’s thinking.

However, tonight, I know what Jay wants.

To my left, Aleah grumbles something. River and Bree look undecided on what to do. Luca’s fingers squeeze my wrist.

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